Republicans included in their weekly address Saturday some gentle words about Democrats, citing their cooperation in passing a $12.3 billion water projects bill earlier this week.

Weve pushed Senate Democrats to match our focus on jobs. And soon, we expect the president to sign one of our ideas into law, said House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster, R-Pa.

He called the bill an example of what we can accomplish when President Obama and Senate Democrats work with us to address your priorities.

The legislation aimed at improving ports, harbors, and waterways essential to the flow of trade and commerce. The Senate passed it 91 to 7 Thursday after the House approved the bill earlier in the week.

At its core is a foundation for long-term job growth, Shuster said. Not just jobs in construction, but also jobs that depend on and are created by a modern, efficient transportation system. You see, without reform, our water infrastructure becomes more obsolete by the day.

He took credit for the bills tone as well as substance. When you entrusted Republicans with the majority in the House, we pledged to do some simple, important things. Number 1: focus on jobs, and Number 2, change the culture to make government more accountable to you, he said, though the Democratic-run Senate also okayed the bill.

Join The Conversation

McClatchy Washington Bureau is pleased to provide this opportunity to share
information, experiences and observations about what's in the news.
Some of the comments may be reprinted elsewhere in the site or in the
newspaper. We encourage lively, open debate on the issues of the day,
and ask that you refrain from profanity, hate speech, personal
comments and remarks that are off point. Thank you for taking the time
to offer your thoughts.